Deputy Chief Thomas Sammons said that just before noon firefighters responded to 86 Linden Street where thick smoke was billowing out of the rear of the two-story structure.

"Initial units in made an aggressive interior attack and knocked it down quick," Sammons said.

The fire itself was knocked down in about 10 minutes, Sammons said, but it took time to overhaul the structure.

After the initial knockdown firefighters had to tear open ceilings and walls to get it under control.

"It was pretty straightforward. We went in the rear of the structure, went in the rear stairs, and the rear stairs brought us right to the bedroom and we were able to extinguish there. There wasn't a lot of interior obstacles in our way," Sammons said.

Eight people lived in the building, four of which in the unit of the blaze. Sammons said the four living there were all outside at the time and the other four are accounted for. There were no injuries. The Red Cross was called to the scene.

Sammons expected the building to be uninhabitable following the blaze but that determination will be left to the Health Department and Building Inspectors. The cause of the fire has not been determined but investigators were called to the scene.

One truck company and five engines responded and Dalton brought a ladder truck to the scene. Linden Street was closed between Center and France Avenue.

Sammons praised the work of the firefighters for the quick and safe response to the blaze.

"They were aggressive, they were safe, they did a great job, they always do a great job," Sammons said.

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